I thank my noble friend for that response. Of course, I shall not press the matter, but I note that he talked in terms of the Secretary of State making regulations which will allow for certain information to be requested. I am looking for a little more individuality than that....

I thank my noble friend for that response. Of course, I shall not press the matter, but I note that he talked in terms of the Secretary of State making regulations which will allow for certain information to be requested. I am looking for a little more individuality than that....

I shall not speak at much length. This amendment was tabled at the last stage as well. It would provide for a relevant authority being able to require whatever information it thinks desirable. I daresay my noble friend will confirm that it is not necessary to state this because it...

I shall not speak at much length. This amendment was tabled at the last stage as well. It would provide for a relevant authority being able to require whatever information it thinks desirable. I daresay my noble friend will confirm that it is not necessary to state this because it...

197FC: Clause 72, page 62, line 7, at beginning insert— ““( ) A relevant authority that is considering an expression of interest from a relevant body may require the body to provide any information that the authority considers desirable in connection with its acceptance or rejection under section 71(1).””

197FC: Clause 72, page 62, line 7, at beginning insert— ““( ) A relevant authority that is considering an expression of interest from a relevant body may require the body to provide any information that the authority considers desirable in connection with its acceptance or rejection under section 71(1).””

My Lords, I have Amendments 197FA and 197FAA in this group, and I am well aware that my noble friend at the Dispatch Box will tell me that what I am proposing is not lawful. What I am proposing is that a local authority can apply its own criteria essentially...

My Lords, I have Amendments 197FA and 197FAA in this group, and I am well aware that my noble friend at the Dispatch Box will tell me that what I am proposing is not lawful. What I am proposing is that a local authority can apply its own criteria essentially...

My Lords, I have later amendments on the same issues. In relation to Amendment 197DA, I would like to say to my noble friend that I think that experience in the particular activity that is at issue is less important than the geographical link. I take his point about wanting...

My Lords, I have later amendments on the same issues. In relation to Amendment 197DA, I would like to say to my noble friend that I think that experience in the particular activity that is at issue is less important than the geographical link. I take his point about wanting...

We are told that these amendments amount to a veto or blocking power because of the strength of the term ““have regard to””. Next week, we will talk about the hierarchy of ““have regard to””, ““be in general conformity with”” and ““be in strict conformity with””. If those words amount...

We are told that these amendments amount to a veto or blocking power because of the strength of the term ““have regard to””. Next week, we will talk about the hierarchy of ““have regard to””, ““be in general conformity with”” and ““be in strict conformity with””. If those words amount...

I do not think that I can, but I am not sure that I am required to. As I said on the last group of amendments, our job here is to think through the ““what ifs?””, not to start from the point that the Assembly would be utterly difficult or...

I do not think that I can, but I am not sure that I am required to. As I said on the last group of amendments, our job here is to think through the ““what ifs?””, not to start from the point that the Assembly would be utterly difficult or...

At Second Reading I referred to these clauses as being as complicated as a Fair Isle knitting pattern. I apologise to noble Lords that I have not made the process more like a stocking stitch. The noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, asked why, if there was no budgetary floor in Essex...

At Second Reading I referred to these clauses as being as complicated as a Fair Isle knitting pattern. I apologise to noble Lords that I have not made the process more like a stocking stitch. The noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, asked why, if there was no budgetary floor in Essex...

Can the Minister help me? Do the Government not actually support taking the matter forward? If they do—they seem to from the tone of the Minister’s remarks—would it not be much more straightforward and save a lot of time, effort and money to clarify the legal issues in the Bill?

Can the Minister help me? Do the Government not actually support taking the matter forward? If they do—they seem to from the tone of the Minister’s remarks—would it not be much more straightforward and save a lot of time, effort and money to clarify the legal issues in the Bill?

Far be it for me to challenge the Clerks, but I am concerned that a Bill in which the Long Title includes the words, "““to make further provision with respect to the functional bodies””," such as Transport for London, rules out such an issue. It also makes provision for the...

Far be it for me to challenge the Clerks, but I am concerned that a Bill in which the Long Title includes the words, "““to make further provision with respect to the functional bodies””," such as Transport for London, rules out such an issue. It also makes provision for the...

I would like to be assured that the words in subsection (5)(d), "““that are determinants of life expectancy or the state of health … other than genetic or biological factors””," apply to the list in paragraphs (a) to (d). As drafted, it could be regarded as applying only to ““other...

I would like to be assured that the words in subsection (5)(d), "““that are determinants of life expectancy or the state of health … other than genetic or biological factors””," apply to the list in paragraphs (a) to (d). As drafted, it could be regarded as applying only to ““other...

moved Amendment No. 53A: 53A: Clause 22, page 23, line 14, at end insert— ““(h) a London Borough Council, (i) the Common Council.”” The noble Baroness said: The amendment would make the London boroughs and the City relevant bodies under proposed new Section 309E(5). This is a gently probing amendment;...

moved Amendment No. 53A: 53A: Clause 22, page 23, line 14, at end insert— ““(h) a London Borough Council, (i) the Common Council.”” The noble Baroness said: The amendment would make the London boroughs and the City relevant bodies under proposed new Section 309E(5). This is a gently probing amendment;...

That is right because, as I said on a previous amendment, this arrangement is sui generis. I have been struck by the fact that some local authorities have given almost no resource to the scrutiny function. For example, an overview and scrutiny committee may be supported by half an officer...

That is right because, as I said on a previous amendment, this arrangement is sui generis. I have been struck by the fact that some local authorities have given almost no resource to the scrutiny function. For example, an overview and scrutiny committee may be supported by half an officer...

I support the amendment. I, for one, would not like to be told by the Mayor how to live my life to the extent that this suggests.

I support the amendment. I, for one, would not like to be told by the Mayor how to live my life to the extent that this suggests.

Before the noble Lord does so, perhaps between this stage and the next, the noble Baroness, Lady Gardner of Parkes, will remind us what was done in that last year of the GLC. I think that there were some extravagant gestures then. The more I listen to the debate, the...

Before the noble Lord does so, perhaps between this stage and the next, the noble Baroness, Lady Gardner of Parkes, will remind us what was done in that last year of the GLC. I think that there were some extravagant gestures then. The more I listen to the debate, the...

moved Amendment No. 36: 36: After Clause 16, insert the following new Clause— ““Directions by the Mayor (1) Section 421 of the GLA Act 1999 (directions) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (2) insert— ““(3) In any direction given under this Act by the Mayor, the reference to a...

moved Amendment No. 36: 36: After Clause 16, insert the following new Clause— ““Directions by the Mayor (1) Section 421 of the GLA Act 1999 (directions) is amended as follows. (2) After subsection (2) insert— ““(3) In any direction given under this Act by the Mayor, the reference to a...

Perhaps it comes from cynicism born of experience, but I do not see the realpolitik in the same way as the Minister does. She says that it would reflect on the political parties; I part company from her there. Legislation should set up the structure which restricts elected politicians from...

Perhaps it comes from cynicism born of experience, but I do not see the realpolitik in the same way as the Minister does. She says that it would reflect on the political parties; I part company from her there. Legislation should set up the structure which restricts elected politicians from...

The noble Lord is right; that is why I have readily accepted an invitation to discuss the matter with the Minister. However, there is some history to this issue, which has been of concern to the Assembly. I am not saying that the Assembly and its advisers have never thought...

The noble Lord is right; that is why I have readily accepted an invitation to discuss the matter with the Minister. However, there is some history to this issue, which has been of concern to the Assembly. I am not saying that the Assembly and its advisers have never thought...

I support both noble Lords. I am aware that the Government are sensitive about their toes being trodden on and feel that the Assembly should not step in when an individual is answerable to the Government. Given that the health adviser’s remit will be to give advice to the Mayor,...

I support both noble Lords. I am aware that the Government are sensitive about their toes being trodden on and feel that the Assembly should not step in when an individual is answerable to the Government. Given that the health adviser’s remit will be to give advice to the Mayor,...

New Section 309A uses the term ““officer””. It states: "““There shall be an officer to be known as the Health Adviser to the Greater London Authority””." Can the Minister clarify, either today or later, whether the officer is a member of the staff of the authority under Section 61 of...

New Section 309A uses the term ““officer””. It states: "““There shall be an officer to be known as the Health Adviser to the Greater London Authority””." Can the Minister clarify, either today or later, whether the officer is a member of the staff of the authority under Section 61 of...